CANANDAIGUA — What began in 1973 as a small art show organized by local artists promoting their work has evolved into one of the best known arts and crafts festivals in the area featuring 150 artists and crafters, live music and food vendors.

The Waterfront Art Festival will be held in Canandaigua for the 41st time this Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27, along Lakeshore Drive.

“It brings at least 7,000 people to the city who have never really been to Canandaigua before so they get a really great flavor for what it’s all about and how beautiful the lakefront is,” said event organizer Lynne Crawford. “It’s a fabulous festival to bring people in and introduce them to city.”

Crawford said of the 150 artists, approximately 80 percent are from Western New York, with the furthest participant traveling from Minnesota. It’s big enough to feature 150 artisans for a great selection of high quality fine art and crafts, but it’s small enough to walk comfortably, she said.

The art is the feature of the festival, but a food court with local vendors and varied musical entertainment complete the event.

While there are plenty of favorite local artists features, there are new artists this year as well, including a Farmington artist who is also featured on the festival poster.

Gregory S. Mayne II, of MayneStream Designs in Farmington, is featured on the poster with his pastel painting of the City Pier and lake with several sailboats. Mayne is a young artist who works in pastel, oil, pencil and photography. His booth will be located east of the gazebo, next to the playground, selling his original poster painting “Freedom on Canandaigua Lake” as well as commemorative posters and smaller prints.

Also new this year are Irish dancers from The Young School of Irish Dance, as well as other musical acts.

The festival is sponsored by the North Shore project, which will bring housing and retail space to the Lakeshore Drive property. Morgan-LeChase Development of Rochester are slated to start construction of the project in 2015. Information on the project will be available at the festival's main tent.

For frequent festival-goers and newbies alike, Crawford has one simple message — “Come on down.”